Folding cot or bed with centralleg



June 27, 1950 E. GOTTLIEB FOLDING COT 0R BED WITH CENTRAL LEG S Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Aug. 19, 1949 iNVENTOR June 27, 1950 GQTTLIEB 2,513,168

FOLDING COT OR BED WITH CENTRAL LEG Filed Aug. 19, 1949 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR June 27, 1950 I E. GOTTLIEB 2,513,168

FQLDING COT 0R BED WITH CENTRAL LEG Filed Aug. 19, 1949 3 Sheets-$heet 3 INVENTOR Patented June 27, 1950 U N] TED S TATES -ZFE'liC E FOLDING COT OR BED WITH LCENTRA LIEG Edward Gottlieb, Brooklyn, N. Y.

Application August (19, 1949,SerialNo. 111,227

(CHE- 13131 Thisfinvention-"relate's "to new and useful "immovements in .foldin'g cots or beds.

There ls'now on theimarket a'certain type of folding cot or "bed which has a horizontal i'm'a'ttress support frame "composed of at least two sections, namely, a base "section and Ya. "head'section. This type of folding cot orbe'd is characterized .by a pairof1'crossdegs supporting "the "base section and a single leg supporting "the "head section, as may be'i'ully understood by inspecting patent of G. J. Fischer, iNo'. 2,231,993. "This type of "folding cot or bed has tierods connected to operate the cross legs automatically, when the "cot or bedfis opened and closed. The major defect of this type of folding cot 'orbed "resides in the mechanical advantage between'lthe substantially "horizontal motion of the tie rods which operate the cross legs, land "the'height of iopening and closingof the cross legs. For example, the "tie "rods movei from *four't'o six inches in therhorizontal slots, at'whichipointlfthey contnect with "the cross'legs, while the cross legs open and :Jclose vertically approximately 'sixt'een is impossible to" make the rivets "tight which hold the various .parts together, as otherwise they would not have the nece'ssary movemerits, and it is impossible'to preveritpaftsifrombending, such as the frame'sections; the "tie rods, and the cross legs themselves. "This play and "flexing accumulatessufficient playor motionat the points where the tie rods connect -withthecrosslegs, namely, at the slots, amounting sometimes'to as much as one-quarter inch with resultant sag of the -cross legs :and the central portion of the mattress supportframeas'much:as one inch. 'Sagging at theucenter ofthe cot is highly objectionable when ipersonsilie down and arisen-om the cot; "Itis customary to 1 partially correct these "defects 'by makinatheparts andtheLriVet's ofheavier stock. For example, "the angleirons used to construct themattress'supportframe are usually 1% inch angles; The cross legs' andthe tierods are either of 1% inch; iorl flg inch angles-or offiat'stock of "1% "inches by at least inch.

The uominatin'gobject dfthisiinvention resides "in'constructingtasuperiorcot which has no tend- "ency'itosag'atthe middle andiwhichtherefore iS rcapa'ibleofbeing constructed of lighter materials "and rivets. More specifically, it 'is proposed to "support thenrattresssupport irame'with vertical endf'l'egs, and with a'vertical central "leg. Since these l'legs 'arein" vertical compression when the cot 'orb'edis "open, they .:are infitheir strongest load carrying positions andtherefore may be madeof relatively lligliter materials. 'With the new construction taught herein the folding cot or bedvmayibecoiistructed o'f one'lnchangle'm'aterials, -and oneinchh 'one quarter inchxb'ars, Ian'dbe entirely's'atisfactory. Not only will"the new out 'or bedfbe "cheaper to"manufa'cture be- :cause .itutilizes less material, butitiwillibe lighter whichisa 'great" advantage; in"the.'hom'ethey .are often opened-and closed'by women.

'Anotherimportantpbj ect Offliis' invention resides" in so "constructing the: new folding not :or fbedrthat itimay beeasilyopened and closeihpar- "ticularly by merely movingithe head section" from a position over the base seetionopeiiingithe .cot, and moving itback overithefbase section in closing ithe out. .In order to obtain this simple operation the central leg" has "so 'Ibeen Ypositione'd inuelationtothe parts 'of'the cot and arranged to lfunction in; a certain Way so as to :assist "the base section in standing up when the 'cot .is opened, and in laying'downiwhen the "cot is'clo'sed.

A further object .of this invention resides tin the teaching of at least "two :constructions' tem- .bo'dying the features :of this invention, oneliin which the central leg operates automatically, and the other in which the centrall-leg must be manually moved. However-{in each of these cases the centrallleg functionsto lower and lift'the "base sectionwhenthe'fifolding'cot or bed is closed oropened.

Another object or the invention'is the construction of a "foldingcot or'bed as described, which is simple and durable and -Which"may be manufactured andsold at a reasonable cost.

For 'further comprehension "of .the invention, and of the objects and advantages "thereof, reference willbe hadtothe following description and accompanying drawings-and to thesappende'd claims in which'the variousnovelfeatures .o'flthe invention aremore particularly,.st forth.

In the accompanying drawings 'forming .a ma- "terialnpart of this disclosure:

Fig; 1 is-,a-,plan View of a foldingnotlorvbedconstructed in accordance with this invention and illustrated a fully opened position.

Fig. 2 is alfron't levational view of'theicot or had shown in Fig.1.

fFig. Bis a fragmentarylenlarged" vertical sectional View taken onuthesline 13-43 A Of' EigJ 2.

Fig. 4"is afragmentary enlarged. vertical-sectional view taken on vthei-line d4 'of ."Figfl- 2.

Fig. '5 is an elevational view similar to Fig. 2 but illustrating thetcot'as it appears when the 'head section ismoveiil upwards during .Lthe

operation Of closing or opening the cot or'bed.

Fig. 6 is an elevational view similar to Fig. but illustrating the folding cot or bed fully closed, with the head section moved 90 clockwise from the position shown in Fig. 5, to the fully closed position.

Fig. 7 is an elevational view similar to Fig. 5 but disclosing a modified form of my folding cot or bed.

Fig. 8 is a fragmentary enlarged vertical sectional View taken on the line 8-8 of Fig. 7'.

The newt-folding cot or bed, in accordance with this invention, includes a mattress support frame It) disposed horizontally when the cot or bed is zontal support frame II]. Note that the central leg 28 is closer to the pivot rivets of the head section II with the central section l2 than to the pivot rivets 20 of the base section I3 with the central section I2. The reason for so locating the central leg 28 is to provide means for resisting bending at the rivets 20 between the head section II and the central section I2 to a greater degree than at the rivets 29 between the central section' I2 and .the'base' section I3. This resisting to bending action is necessary in the proper closing of the cot as will be explained in the operation later on in this specification. This fully open, and having three adjacent horizontal.

tral section, and a base section, respectively,

from one end of the single file to the other. The central section I2 includes a pair of spaced angle irons I4 and ISarranged withftheir top flanges horizontal. and their, side flanges disposed outwards of each other. These angles I4 and I5 are rigidly connected by a cross brace I6 of angle material. This cross brace'lfi isofU-shape." It has vertical sides II connected by a horizontal section I8. The top ends of the vertical sides I! are welded to the angles I4 and. I5. The base section [3' and the head section I I are constructed of angle material bent into U-shape in plan view, with the ends of their arms disposed adjacent and inside of the ends of the angles I4 and I5 of thejcentral section I2.

Rivets 20 pivotally connect together the adjacent ends of said adjacent sections II, I2 and I3. Said adjacent sections II, I2 and I3 are associated with means for limiting pivoting thereof downwards from said horizontal position, asillustrated in Figs. 1 and 2. This pivot limiting means consists merely in the way the sections I I, I2 and I3 are associated "witheach other. Namely, the 'endsof the head section H and the base section I3 are set under and inside of the endsfof the angles l4 and I5 of the central section. I2, and the rivets 2B are pdsitionedoirtwardsbfthe ends of the head section II and base section (I3 and inwards of the endsofthe angles I4 and I5 of the central section I2." The ends of the angles I4 and I5 of the central section I2 are formedwith notched out portions 22 upon the top arms thereof arrangedso that head section II and base section I3 may pivot upwards from their horizontal positions to positions at right angles to the central section I2.

The central section I2 has anextension "eX- tending downwards of the rivets 20 thereof. This extensionincludes the brace I6 and small horizontal stri'ps 23 mounted upon the bottom portions of the side arms I! of the brace I5.

These strips 23 preferably are just as long as the lengths of the angles I4 and I5; An end leg 25 is pivotally connected'with an end portion of the base section I3. An end leg 26 is pivotally connected with the end portion of the head section II.

These end legs 25 and 26 extend downwards for supporting the ends of said horizontal mattress support frame ILL These end legs 25 and 28 are of U-shape. Their horizontal 'bottom portions rest on the floor, while their vertical arms extend upwards and are pivotally connected with the frame [0 by rivets 21. Central leg 28 is pivotally connected with said central section I2 and extends downwards for supporting thecentral area of said horicentral leg 28 is shown constructed of channel material. It is also of U-shape arranged with its horizontal bottom resting on the floor and end leg 25 of the base section I3 and with said extension of the central section I2," namely, with the ends ofthe strips 23 for, folding the end leg 25 of said base section" I3 to a position under said base section I3 when saidcentral section I2 and said headf'se'ction II are pivoted up- Wards as a unit to a position at rightangles't'o the base section I3 as illustrated'in Fig. 5. It should be recognized that. as the head section H and central section IZ' are pivoted up, the central leg 28 will turn clockwise on the pintle rivets 26 which connect the base section I3 with the central section I2 simultaneous'w'ith clockwise turning ofv thecnd leg 25 on the pintle rivets 2'! so that the base section I3 is'lowered substantially in a horizontal position until it is in a fully down position, as illustrated in Fig. 5. Thus the central leg 28'plays an important part in graduallyflo wering the 'base section I3 during the foldingof the" cot orbed.

Tie rods 32 are pivotally connected withthe end leg 26 of said head section II and with said extension of said cent'ral section I2,n'amely, the ends of the strips 23jfor folding the end leg 26 of the head section II to a position subsupport frame It is in itsj horizontal position in order'to support the center of said support frame I!) whenthe; folding cot r bed is open. This means for rigidly holding the; central leg 28 in this form of the invention,comprises ,tie rods 33pivotal1y connectedfwith the top ends ofthe central leg 28 andwith the end leg 25. More particularly, the end leg 26 has lugs 34 (see particularly Fig. 1) extending leftwards therefrom and the left hand ends of the tie rods 33 are pivotally connected withjsaid lugs 34. It is pointed out thatwhen thejfolding cot or bed is in its open position, the tie rods 33 act as said holding means. However, these tie rods 33 are movable when the foldingcot or bed is folded closed and aremoved by the motion of the end leg 26 in order that said central leg 28 may be pivoted and folded substantially fiat against the top of the head section II when lsaid folding cot or bed is foldedj 'close.d' ,-as shown i'nFig. 6.

'fiasters. 3.5.and share-mounted respectively upon the end legzzfii'and the -ltie rods 30 :in order :to .:engage the iloor :and support the -cot or :bed .when in.a:f01ded\position. Springs 3'l--ane==connected with the -.end leg J25 and :extend upwards at an anglenndaconnect with links W38which are ipivotally zconnected with the head sectionll.

.Th'ese .springs I! urge :thesendleg zfi of-said .head section .H. into :an :openposition when said root .or vbed iSJOpBDEd-JIEIOm auclos'ed position in order to remnvensaidlbasesection l.3.as a counter-:resistancelnr meightto the openingof said .central leg. 28 :and said send leg #26 :of said head section II, so that cthesbasesection -l3do'es not :move upwards. and interfere with thebpening .of the cot or bed. 'Thelinks -38 serve to looselymount 'the springs 31 so that .theyexert no tension until the :head section H is past its vertical position, -illustrated in -Fig. 5, whenthe cot er bed .is being :closed, in order to reduce the tendency :of :the cot .or bed moving away horizontally while it is being closed.

lit-latch :bar ill is =pivotal1y mounted on the head-section H and iscooperati-ve with a keeper element 41 mounted-uponthe base section l3 for latching ithe-folding -cot or-bed in its closed position, as illustrated'in Fig. *6. The mattress support aframe Ml is'provided with a suitable mattress support element supported the usual way by small springs 43 connected with the mattress support frame. H3.

The operation of the new folding oot or bed maybe understood from the following:

Figs. 1 and Zillustrate the folding cot or bed in its fully opened position. It may be closed by manually grippingthe left hand end of the head section l-l -and-pivoting-the head "section l'l upwards. It will befound that the central section 12 remains rigidly aligned with the head section II sothat bending occurs at the rivets 20 between the central section 12* and the base section '13. The reason for this may readily be seen by realizing that gravity holds the base section I3 down, while the head section His being lifted. The resistance to bending is much smaller at the rivets 20 between the 'centralsection 1'2 and base section 13'than at the rivets 20 between the head section II 'and the central section -l2, because bending at the rivets "20 between the head section II and central section I2 is resisted by the requirement of moving the central leg 28 and :by the action of the central leg '28 "in being located closer to the pivot oi the head section with the central section'than to the pivot of the base section with the central section.

'When the head section "IT is being pivoted upwards the central leg '28'is moved clockwise, and simultaneously the tie rods 30 pivot the end leg '25 clockwise which -results in the base section 13 being lowered until it reaches a position in which it rests upon the casters 35 and 36 as illustrated in Fig. 5. 'Thehead section II is now vertical "and is moved further to the right to continue closing of the out or bed. However, pivoting now starts "about the rivets 29 between the central section l2 and the head section H, since the notches 2'2o-I -the central section l2 prevent "further pivoting of the central section l 2 relative to the base section 13 past the vertical position. Alter-the head section H has been pivoted :a short distance past the vertical position, :forxexample20" or so, the springs 31 become -taut. It is pointed Pout that when the head section H is pivoted throughthe said 20 '6 the end ng-26 starts closing because of the tie rods 82,- and -when the end -Ieg 26 startscl'osine I the-tie 'rOds 33- start pivotingthe central -l'eg' 28 clockwise -on Lth'epintle rivetsszilt The purpose of delaying stretching of the-springs 31 is to make certain that the :person closing the foldingcot-or lbeli downward 1 pressure on the head-sectiond l at this time.

With "the down-ward pressure at this time,- as Just mentionedg-the-cotor bed will have no tendencyto ri'detowar'ds the right I on the caster 35 and 36. lit would-=-then"not be necessary ifor the person attemptingte close the A, cot .ior b ed to place a -ioot against the right hand end of the *base section-1 3% prevent rolling of the cot or bed.- =Once theh'ead section H has been pivoted past the vertical position, thereis =asufiieien't down-ward component of pressure to elim'ina'te the necessity--of holding theoot or bed from rolling on the casters 35 (and 36 while an attempt is beingmade-- to olose it. It is merely necessary to continue pushing the head section ll downwards until it reaches-the horizontal position "illustrated in Ll ig. '6. During ethisrl-atter motion,the endlegiili will close-eompletely and the-ceritral-leg 4E8 will pivot around to engage against the top o'f the head sectio'n M --'as illus-- trated in Fig. 6. The cot or bed-isnow iully closed.

The not or :bed maybe-opened1merely= by gripping the-right hand end of the head section l l reference is-being had to Fig. 6; and-pivoting the head--section H upwards; The-importance of the springs 31 may n'ow be understood; Without the springs 31, which are now in stretched positions, the resistance of pivoting of the head section 4 LI about the rivets 'fll' between the head section H ---andthe central section I2 will be relatively large because' effort is-required during this period "to pivot-openthe-central leg 28 and. the -end leg' 2 6: The only resistance --to this pivoting will =be the weight of the base 'seetion 13; However, actualpractice-it was lound that theweig htpf the basesection ['3 was insufficient to overcome the resistance. It therefore was necessary to step' upo'n-the base section :13 to keep itdown. would behig hlyobjectionable becauseama'ttress and sheet are stored on thebase-section [3 when-'--the cot-is in its folded position. It was found thatas much as 25=pounds of weight would be necessary onthe base-section 13 to keepit'from pivoting upwards upon the casters 36 as pivots. However, adding this-weight to the base section was ridiculous. For this reason :thesprings 3 1 were added. These-springs 31 immediately tend to pivot open theiend leg 26 and the central leg 28. The action of the springs 31 therefore removes the resistance which caused the base section 13 tostand up; Consequently, -thebase section l3 will remain down-upon' the floor. The cot or bed may therefore be opened =without ;thenecessity of steppingon and holding the base section 43 downwards.

Theheadsection H ispivotedupwards during-opening of the cot orbed until it reaches the vertical position as illustrated in Fig. '5. Then pivotingis continued until the central leg 28 strikesthe floor. The central leg 28 then assists the endleg 25 in camming'up the base section I3 and-soon the cot or bed assumes the fully opened position illustratedin Fig. 2.

It should be fully recognized that the cot "or bed is fully -closed and fully opened merely-by gripping the head sectionl l by its extremity and 7 pivoting it around over the base section; [.3 and off of the base section I3. There is no need for touching any parts of the cot or bed or doing any manipulation during opening and closing of the cot or bed. 1

In Figs. 7 and 8 a modified form of the invention has been disclosed, which distinguishes from the prior form merely inthe means for.,rigidly holding the central leg 28 in its downward position when the horizontal mattress support frame If! is in its horizontal position in order to support the center of said frame It] when the folding cot or bed is opened. This holding means comprises a stop member 50 mounted on each arm I! of the cross brace I6. Each stop member has an end i which engages and strikes small narrow strips 52 attached upon the back face of the upper ends of the arms of the central leg 28. Leaf springs 53 are mounted upon the arms I! and normally engage the other ends of the strips 52. Since the ends of the leg 28 are now firmly held the leg 28 is rigid. This holding means has a movable part or parts, namely, the leaf springs 53 which may be manually pressed inwards so as to free the upper ends of the arms of the central leg 28. Now the central leg 28 may be manually moved upon its pintle rivets 29 to its closed position.

In this form of the invention the tension springs 31 and the strips 38 are not necessary because the central leg 28 is not connected with tie rods to the end le 26 and therefore there will not be any resistance to opening of the cot or bed which cannot be overcome by the weight of the base section I3.

In other respects this form of the invention is identical to the previous form and like parts are identified by like reference numerals.

The operation of this form of the invention may be understood from the following: I

In Fig. 7 the folding cot or bed is shown partially opened. It may be fully closed by pivoting the head section I I clockwise until the horizontal position is reached. This automatically closes the end leg 26. The central leg 28 is new manually closed by depressing the springs 53 to free the central leg 28 which is pivotally moved around to a position to rest upon the top of the head section II similar to the position in which it is shown in Fig. 6.

The cot is opened merely by pivoting the head section II counter-clockwise. The central leg 28 will be correspondingly pivoted and will fall by gravity around to the horizontal position shown in Fig. '7, since the ends of the central leg 28 will cam the leaf springs 53 inwards until the strips 52 on the ends of the central leg 28 strike the ends 5| of the stops 50. Now the central leg 28 is latched rigidly in its open position and the cot or bed may be fully opened by pivoting the head section II completely counter-clockwise identically in the same fashion described relative to opening the cot or bed from the position shown in Fig. 5. After thecot is fully opened it may be closed by pivoting upwards the outer end of the head section II. The con-1 tral section I2 will rigidly pivot along with the head section I I because the pivoting action takes place about the rivets 20 which pivotally join the central section l2 with the base section I3. The reason for this point of pivoting is that the central leg 28 is closer'to the rivets 20 which pivotally connect the head section II 'withthe central section, I2 than to the rivets 28 which pivotally, connect theicentral section. I2 with the.

base section I3, and therefore there is a different degree of resistance .to' bending at the two pivot points, and theone with the lesser resistance will be the; point at which pivoting takes place.

While I have illustrated and described the preferred embodiments of myinvention, it is to be understood that I do not limit myself to the precise constructions herein: disclosed and the right is reserved to all changes and modifications coming within the scope of the invention as defined in the appended'claims.

Having-thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by United States Letters Patent is: i v

1. In a folding cot or bed, a horizontal mattress support frame having three adjacent horizontal sections in single file and in end alignment with each other when the cot or bed is in an open position, said threesections being designated base, central and head, respectively, from one end of said single file to the other end, means for pivotally connecting together the adjacent ends of said adjacent sections, means for limiting pivoting of: said adjacent sections downwards from said horizontal position, said central section having an extension extending downwards of the pivots of said sections, and end leg pivotally connected on each of said head and base sections and extending downwards for supporting the ends of said horizontal mattress support frame, a central leg pivotally connected with said central section and extending downwards for supporting the central area of said horizontal mattress support frame, tie rods pivotally connected with the end leg of said base section and with said extension of said central section for folding the end leg of said base section to a position under said base section when said central section and said head section are pivoted upwards as a unit to a position at right angles to said base section, said central leg and said end leg of said base section acting to lower said base section gradually while said central section and said head section are pivoted upwards to .said right angle position, tie rods pivotally connected with the end leg of said head section and with said extension of said central section for folding the end leg of said head section to a position substantially flat against the top of said head section when said head section is pivoted downwards from said right angle position to a position parallel to said base section and at right angles to said central section, holding means for rigidly holding said central leg in a'downward position when said horizontal mattress support frame is in its horizontal position in order to support the center of said support frame when the foldin v cot or bed is open, and said holding means having movable parts movable in order that said central leg may be folded substantially flat against the top of said head section when said folding cot or bed is folded closed.

I 2. -A' folding cot or bed as defined in claim '1, in which casters have been mounted upon the leg and upon the tie rods of said base section in order to engage the floor and support the cot or bed when in a folded condition.

3. A folding cot or bed as defined in claim 1, in which said central leg is pivotally connected with said central section at apoint downwards of its top end when the cot or bed is in an open position, and in which said holding means includes a movable tierod pivotally connected with the top end of said central leg and withsaid 7 end leg of .said'head section in order that'said +9 holding means is automatically'movableto pivot said central .leg intoits closed position.

4.. A folding not or :bed as defined in claim 1,

in which saidJcentral leg pivotally connected with said central section at a'point downwards "ofits top end" when the cot orbed is in an open position, and in "which said holding means includes a movable 'tie rod pivotally connected with the top end of said central leg and with said end leg of said'head section in order that said holding means is automatically adjustable topivot said central .leg into its closed position, and in which a spring urges said end leg of said head section into an open position when said cot or bed is opened from a closed position in order to remove said base section as a counter resistance to the opening of said central leg and said end leg of said head section so that said base section does not pivot upwards and interfere with the opening of said cot or bed.

5. A folding cot or bed as defined in claim 1, in which said central leg is pivotally connected with said central section at a point downwards of its top end when the cot or bed is in an open position, and in which said holding means includes a movable tie rod pivotally connected with the top end of said central leg and with said end le of said head section in order that said holding means is automatically adjustable to pivot said central leg into its closed position, and in which a spring urges said end leg of said head section into an open position when said cot or bed is opened from a closed position in order to remove said base section as a counter resistance to the opening of said central leg and said end leg of said head section so that said base section does not pivot upwards and interfere with the opening of said cot or bed, and in which said spring is mounted loosely in position in order that it does not stretch until said head section is past its vertical position when the cot or bed is being closed in order to reduce the tendency of the bed or cot moving away while it is being closed.

6. In a foldin cot or bed, a horizontal mattress support frame having three adjacent horizontal sections in single file and in end alignment with each other when the cot or bed is in an open position, said three sections being designated, base, central and head, respectively, from one end of said single file to the other end, means for pivotally connecting the adjacent ends of said adjacent sections, means for limiting pivoting of said adjacent sections downwards from said horizontal position, said central section having an extension extending downwards of the pivots of said sections, an end leg pivotally connected on each of said head and base sections and extending downwards for supporting the ends of said horizontal mattress support frame, a central leg rigidly connected with said central section and extendin downwards for supporting the central area of said horizontal mattress support frame, tie rods pivotally connected with the end leg of said base section and with said extension of said central section for folding the end leg of said base section to a position under said base section when said central section and said head section are pivoted upwards as a unit to a position at right angles to said base section, said central leg and said end leg of said base section acting to lower said base section gradually while said central section and said head section are pivoted upwards to said right angle position, and tie rods pivotally connected with the end leg or said head section and withsaid extension of said central section for folding the end leg of said head section to a position substantially flat against the top of said head section when said head section is pivoted downwards from said right angle position to a position parallel to said base section and at right angles to said centralsection.

'7. Ina folding cot or bed, a horizontal mattress support frame having three adjacent horizontal sections in single iile' andin end alignmentwith each other when the cot or bed inian o'penpposition, said three sections being designated base, central and head, ,respective'lxpfron' one end of ,Said sing e fil to the o her e d; eans r ivotally connecting together the'adjacent ends of said adjacent sections, means for limiting pivoting of said adjacent sections downwards from said horizontal :position, said gentral section having an extension extending downwards of the pivots of said sections, an end leg pivotally connected on each of said head and base sections and extending downwards for supporting the ends of said horizontal mattress support frame, a central leg pivotally connected with said horizontal mattress support frame and extending downwards for supporting the central area of said horizontal mattress support frame, tie rods pivotally connected with the end leg of said base section and with said extension of said central section for folding the end leg of said base section to a position under said base section when said central section and said head section are pivoted upwards as a unit to a position at right angles to said base section, said central leg and said end leg of said base section acting to lower said base section gradually while said central section and said head section are pivoted upwards to said right angle position, tie rods pivotally connected with the end leg of said head section and with said extension of said central section for folding the end leg of said head section to a position substantially flat against the top of said head section when said head section is pivoted downwards from said right angle position to a position parallel to said base section and at right angles to said central section, holding means for rigidly holding said central leg in a downward position when said horizontal mattress support frame is in its horizontal position in order to support the center of said support frame when the folding cot or bed is open, and said holding means having movable parts movable in order thatsaid central leg may be folded substantially flat against the top of said head section when said folding cot or bed is folded closed.

8. In a folding cot or bed, a horizontal mattress support frame having three adjacent horizontal sections in single file and in end alignment with each other when the out or bed is in an open position, said three sections being designated base, central and head, respectively, from one end of said single file to the other end, means for pivotally connecting the adjacent ends of said adjacent sections, means for limiting pivoting of said adjacent sections downwards from said horizontal position, a foldable end le connected on each of said head and base sections and extending downwards for supporting the ends of said horizontal mattress support frame, a central leg rigidly connected with said central section and extending downwards for supporting the central area of said horizontal mattress support frame, means for folding closed said end leg of said base section when said central section and said head section are pivoted upwards as a unit and means for resisting bending between said head section and central section when said cot is in its open position and the outer end of said head section is pivoted upwards in order that said head section and central section pivot upwards as a unit in order that said central leg and said end leg of said base section act to lower said base section gradually while said central section and said head section are spivoted upwards to said right angle position.-

v9. A foldingcot as defined in claim 8 in which said means for resisting bending between said head and central sections resides in locating said central leg closer to the pivot between said head and central sections than to the pivot between said central and base sections. a

10. A folding cot as defined in claim 8, in which means is provided for folding closed said end leg of said head section when said head section is pivoted downwards from said right angle position to a position parallel to said base section.

11. A folding cot as defined in claim 8, in which means is provided for releasing said rigidly connected central leg, and a pivot for supporting said central leg in order that it may be pivoted to a closed position.

EDWARD GOTTLIEB.

No references cited. 

